The Philippines and Cuba, both have a lot in common:
Spanish rule for three hundred and fifty-odd years.According to Prevention Web, between 1980-2008, the Philippines (disaster statistics) had six times as many hurricanes but nearly 16 (yes, sixteen) times as many fatalities as the cigar smokers in Cuba (disaster statistics).
American rule by proxy during a good chunk of the 20th century.
Nominal independence for the Philippines after 1945.
Complete independence for Cuba since 1959.
Both countries are subject to extreme weather systems during the summer and early autumn: hurricanes and typhoons.
How so? For all its faults, Cuba has, among other things, developed a first class disaster management programme.
Sadly, there's not much chance of such a disaster management programme being established and efficiently maintained in the Philippines. Not currently, anyway.
This is a country whose owners and rulers are generally pre-occupied with graft and corruption. They know how to steal from the people. They have little inclination to serve the people.
The result? Katrina redux.
1 comment:
Hi,
We're reaching out to all the bloggers who talk about the Philippines in an urgent appeal for them to tell their readers about the disaster that transformed the country this weekend.
The torrential rains that pounded the Philippines, has resulted in more than 1.8 million people being immediately affected.
We, the UN World Food Programme, has identified at least 178 000 families in need of immediate food aid.
Please would you consider telling the readers of your blog about their situation, and encourage them to go to https://www.wfp.org/donate/ondoy to donate? Also if you're active on social networks, it would help to tell other about it there too.
Even the smallest amounts help: $18 can feed a family for 2 weeks!
Below are two banners that you're welcome to use:
Warmest regards,
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